What is a Pumice Stone?
A pumice stone is a very interesting piece of rock. For one thing, it’s full of holes and can float! For another, pumice stone is made from volcanic rock, which is made of rough-textured volcanic glass. This interesting rock is created when super-heated, extremely pressurized rock is ejected from a volcano. As the rock is ejected, it cools and depressurizes rapidly, forming bubbles in the stone. These bubbles eventually “freeze” in the rock, forming the holes that are common in pumice stones.
Pumice stones are very abrasive, which makes them wonderful for many uses. They’re often used as a personal care product, which works to remove dead skin, calluses, and skin. They’re also used in beauty shops for pedicures, and pumice is sometimes used in hand cleaners. There are many other uses, too!
While pumice stones can be great for removing dead skin and more, what happens if your dog eats a pumice stone?
What Will Happen if My Dog Ate a Pumice Stone?
If your dog ate a pumice stone, there is no need to worry about a biochemical reaction because this beauty product is all-natural. Even when you have used it for a while, the worst-case scenario is an intestinal blockage that elicits symptoms like constipation, diarrhea, dehydration, loss of appetite, pain and swelling in the abdomen, dehydration, and lethargy. Furthermore, pieces of the stone can pierce your pet’s tongue, gum, and the other soft parts of their mouth, not to mention scratching the airway or even innards.
Initially, in the process of breaking up the stone into pieces, some can puncture your pet’s tongue, gums, and other soft parts of their mouth and result in open sores. If they are swallowed, the pieces will not harm them by introducing chemicals or other toxic substances into their body; but they may cause an intestinal blockage, which can develop into further health problems for your pet. In a couple of days, the stones will leave their system through their poop. However, if things go south, which happens if you don’t find the stones in your dog’s poop, watch out for vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, and appetite loss.
Any sign that indicates Fido is in pain shouldn’t be dismissed at this point, as they may require the help of the vet. These symptoms may indicate an intestinal blockage or obstruction, and a surgery may be required. They may also be signs of an infection which you don’t want to overlook. Monitor your pet for the next three to five days and report any strange behavior to the vet.
Is Bad Breath in Dogs the First Sign of Poor Dental Health?
Dr. Cathy: Bad breath can be a sign of tooth infection, sinus infection, or something going on in the stomach, like stomach heat in Traditional Chinese veterinary medicine. Stomach heat comes from eating food that is hard to digest—usually over-processed foods like kibble. Bad breath certainly leads pet parents to look in their dogs’ mouth and see what is going on.
Is a Puppuccino bad for dogs?
February is National Pet Dental Health Month, and one of the goals of this special event is to raise awareness in pet owners about the need for cat and dog dental care. Your dogs bad breath is more than just annoying and stinky; it could be life-threatening.
In todays interview with Dr. Cathy Alinovi of Hoofstock Veterinary Services, well learn why its important to be diligent about your pets oral health and hygiene. All questions were asked by Donna Cosmato during an email interview on February 5, 2013.